U.S. patent number 11,242,109 [Application Number 16/614,976] was granted by the patent office on 2022-02-08 for folding bicycle.
The grantee listed for this patent is Gilles Henry. Invention is credited to Gilles Henry.
United States Patent |
11,242,109 |
Henry |
February 8, 2022 |
Folding bicycle
Abstract
Folding bicycle comprising a frame with a front frame portion on
which is mounted a front wheel (1) and a rear frame portion (A) on
which is mounted a rear wheel (2). The front frame portion includes
an upper bar (10), a seat bar (5) and an oblique bar. The rear
frame portion comprises at least one seat stay (8), at least one
lower bar (9) and the seat bar (5). The oblique bar comprises an
upper oblique rod (14) and a lower oblique rod (15). The lower
oblique rod (15), the upper oblique rod (14), the upper bar (10)
and the seat bar (5) are interconnected by joints (P1, P2, P3, P4),
in this order, so as to form an articulated quadrilateral (D)
deformable between a folded position and an unfolded position.
Inventors: |
Henry; Gilles (Paris,
FR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Henry; Gilles |
Paris |
N/A |
FR |
|
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Family
ID: |
1000006102734 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/614,976 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2018 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 18, 2018 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2018/063184 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 19, 2019 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2018/211104 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 22, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200198722 A1 |
Jun 25, 2020 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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May 19, 2017 [FR] |
|
|
1754460 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K
3/04 (20130101); B62K 15/008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62K
15/00 (20060101); B62K 3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;280/278,287 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2409906 |
|
Jan 2012 |
|
EP |
|
2114758 |
|
Jan 2013 |
|
EP |
|
927215 |
|
Oct 1947 |
|
FR |
|
927215 |
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Oct 1947 |
|
FR |
|
3100460 |
|
May 2004 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
International Search Report issued in International Application No.
PCT/EP2018/063184, dated Jul. 30, 2018 (5 pages). cited by
applicant .
Written Opinion issued in International Application No.
PCT/EP2018/063184; dated Jul. 30, 2018 (12 pages). cited by
applicant .
English translation of Notification of Reason(s) for Refusal Issued
in Japanese Application No. 2020-514343, dated Oct. 5, 2021 (5
pages). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hurley; Kevin
Assistant Examiner: Shabara; Hosam
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Osha Bergman Watanabe & Burton
LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A folding bicycle comprising a front wheel, a rear wheel and a
frame wherein, the frame comprises a front frame portion on which
the front wheel is mounted, via a pivoting fork, and a rear frame
portion on which the rear wheel is mounted, the front frame portion
comprises an upper bar, a seat bar and an oblique bar, the rear
frame portion comprises at least one seat stay, at least one lower
bar and the seat bar, and wherein, the oblique bar comprises an
upper oblique rod and a lower oblique rod, the lower oblique rod,
the upper oblique rod, the upper bar and the seat bar are
interconnected by joints, in this order, so as to form an
articulated quadrilateral deformable between a folded position and
an unfolded position, the articulated quadrilateral is configured
in such a way that, when deforming towards its folded position, the
bicycle folds in the longitudinal direction, the front and rear
wheels move transversely away from each other while moving towards
each other in the longitudinal direction until the front wheel
comes to overlap with the rear wheel in a transverse direction of
the bicycle, and the joints are revolute joints and axes of the
revolute joints intersect at a same point.
2. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the rear frame
portion is non-deformable.
3. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, comprising a locking
system to lock the articulated quadrilateral in its unfolded
position.
4. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the locking
system is provided between the lower oblique rod and the upper
oblique rod.
5. The folding bicycle according to claim 4, wherein the locking
system comprises: a bolt slidably mounted inside one of the oblique
rods between an extended position and a retracted position; a
keeper fitted inside the other oblique rod and cooperating with the
bolt in the extended position to prevent relative rotation of the
oblique rods around the joint.
6. The folding bicycle according to claim 5, wherein one of the
oblique rods has an extension extending axially beyond the joint,
while the other rod has a cut-out whose shape is complementary to
that of the extension, and wherein the bolt slides axially inside
the extension.
7. The folding bicycle according to claim 6, comprising a latch
movably mounted in said extension between a bolt locking position
and a bolt release position, the latch being movable in translation
laterally but not axially, wherein a protruding pin is provided
facing the latch, on a side face of the cut-out, so that the
protruding pin comes to bear on the latch to unlock the bolt when
the oblique rods are unfolded to be aligned.
8. The folding bicycle according to claim 5, wherein the locking
system comprises an unlocking lever mounted on the same oblique rod
as the bolt and cooperating with the bolt for moving the latter
towards its retracted position and thus allowing rotation of the
oblique rods relative to each other.
9. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, comprising a bicycle
chain set and a locking system to lock the bicycle chain set in a
particular position when folding or unfolding the bicycle.
10. The folding bicycle according to claim 9, wherein the chain set
comprises a pedal plate rotating about an axis and wherein the
locking system comprises: a pin fixed on the lower oblique rod near
the pedal plate; and a stop fixed on an inner face of the plate,
wherein the pin is positioned to, in the unfolded position, not
interfere with the travel of the stop so that the plate can rotate
freely about its axis and, when folded, when the lower oblique rod
pivots relative to the seat bar and approaches it, the pin
approaches the axis of the plate and cuts the travel of the stop so
that the plate cannot rotate freely.
11. The folding bicycle according to claim 9, wherein the locking
system is provided between the upper portion of the seat bar and
the connecting bar.
12. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the axes of
the revolute joints converge at a point which is located in a
different plane and transversely away from a median plane of the
folding bicycle.
13. A folding bicycle comprising a front wheel, a rear wheel and a
frame wherein, the frame comprises a front frame portion on which
the front wheel is mounted, via a pivoting fork, and a rear frame
portion on which the rear wheel is mounted, the rear frame portion
comprises at least one seat stay, at least one lower bar and a seat
bar, and wherein, the front frame portion comprises an upper bar,
an upper portion of the seat bar, a connecting bar and an oblique
bar, and the upper bar, the upper portion of the seat bar, the
connecting bar and the oblique bar are interconnected by joints, in
this order, so as to form an articulated quadrilateral deformable
between a folded position and an unfolded position, the deformable
articulated quadrilateral is configured in such a way that, when
deforming towards its folded position, the bicycle folds in the
longitudinal direction, the front and rear wheels move transversely
away from each other while moving towards each other in the
longitudinal direction until the front wheel comes to overlap with
the rear wheel in a transverse direction of the bicycle, the joints
are revolute joints and axes of the revolute joints intersect at a
same point.
14. The folding bicycle according to claim 13, comprising a bicycle
chain and a locking system to lock the bicycle chain set in a
particular position when folding or unfolding the bicycle.
15. The folding bicycle according to claim 14, wherein the chain
set comprises a pedal plate rotating about an axis and wherein the
locking system comprises: a pin fixed on the lower oblique rod near
the pedal plate; and a stop fixed on an inner face of the plate,
wherein the pin is positioned to, in the unfolded position, not
interfere with the travel of the stop so that the plate can rotate
freely about its axis and, when folded, when the lower oblique rod
pivots relative to the seat bar and approaches it, the pin
approaches the axis of the plate and cuts the travel of the stop so
that the plate cannot rotate freely.
16. The folding bicycle according to claim 13, wherein the rear
frame portion is non-deformable.
17. The folding bicycle according to claim 13, wherein the axes of
the revolute joints converge at a point which is located in a
different plane and transversely away from the median plane of the
bicycle.
18. The folding bicycle according to claim 13, comprising a locking
system to lock the articulated quadrilateral in its unfolded
position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a folding bicycle, that is to say
a bicycle deformable between an unfolded position in which the
bicycle is used as a means of transport and a folded position in
which the bicycle size is reduced. Once folded, the bicycle can
then be stored or transported more easily.
BACKGROUND
There are already many types of folding bicycles. However, most of
these bicycles have small wheels, to reduce their size when folded.
This has the disadvantage of reducing the comfort and stability of
the bicycle when in use.
There are however a few folding bicycles of normal size; by that,
we mean bicycles having wheels with a diameter proportionate to the
size of the bicycle user. Typically, by today's standards, the
diameter of a wheel (more specifically of a tire) recommended for
an average adult is between 650 and 700 mm, i.e. between 26 and 28
inches. However, most of these bicycles are actually more
dismountable than foldable because their folding requires
disassembling all or part of the frame and/or removing one or more
wheels. This is the case, for example, of the folding bicycle of
patent document U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,047 or patent document EP
211475861.
These bicycles are not satisfactory because the operations required
for folding them are complex and their frame may lack rigidity when
assembled.
There is therefore a need for a new type of folding bicycle, of
normal size, where folding and unfolding operations are simple and
do not need to disassemble part of the frame or the wheels of the
bicycle.
GENERAL PRESENTATION
The invention relates to a folding bicycle comprising a front
wheel, a rear wheel and a frame. The frame includes a front frame
portion on which the front wheel is mounted, via a pivoting fork,
and a rear frame portion on which the rear wheel is mounted. The
front frame portion includes an upper bar, a seat bar and an
oblique bar. The seat bar is also part of the rear frame portion.
The rear frame portion may include at least one seat stay, at least
one lower bar and the seat bar.
According to a first embodiment, the oblique bar includes an upper
oblique rod and a lower oblique rod. The lower oblique rod, the
upper oblique rod, the upper bar and the seat bar are connected
together by joints, in this order, so as to form an articulated
quadrilateral deformable between a folded position and an unfolded
position. The deformable articulated quadrilateral is configured in
such a way that, when deforming towards its folded position, the
bicycle folds in the longitudinal direction, the front and rear
wheels move transversely away from each other while moving towards
each other in the longitudinal direction until the front wheel
comes to overlap with the rear wheel in a transverse direction of
the bicycle.
According to a second embodiment, the front frame portion includes
an upper bar, a portion of the seat bar, a connecting bar and an
oblique bar. The upper bar, the portion of the seat bar, the
connecting bar and the oblique bar are interconnected in this
order, by joints so as to form an articulated quadrilateral
deformable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The
deformable articulated quadrilateral is configured in such a way
that, when deforming towards its folded position, the bicycle folds
in the longitudinal direction, the front and rear wheels move
transversely away from each other while moving towards each other
in the longitudinal direction until the front wheel comes to
overlap with the rear wheel in a transverse direction of the
bicycle.
Thus when the bicycle is in the folded position, the front wheel is
superimposed on the rear wheel in a transverse direction of the
bicycle. In other words, the front wheel and the rear wheel are
substantially arranged one opposite the other in the transverse
direction of the bicycle, it being understood that these wheels can
be slightly offset with respect to one another in a direction
perpendicular to the transverse direction, without departing from
the scope of the invention.
In the present disclosure, the length of the bicycle is measured
between the front end of the front wheel and the rear end of the
rear wheel of the bicycle. The longitudinal direction of the
bicycle is the direction of the bicycle length. The longitudinal
direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of the bicycle
when it is in the unfolded position, the front and rear being
defined with respect to the normal direction of the bicycle
movement when the latter is used as a means of transport.
The bicycle height is considered along the vertical direction when
the bicycle is on wheels, in the unfolded position, on a horizontal
surface.
The "median plane" of the bicycle corresponds to the median plane
of the rear wheel of the bicycle. When the bicycle is unfolded, and
its front and rear wheels are aligned, the front and rear wheels
are in the median plane and the longitudinal axis of the bicycle is
contained in this plane.
The transverse direction is the direction perpendicular to the
median plane of the bicycle.
The fact that the front and rear wheels are superimposed in the
folded position along the transverse direction allows the size of
the bicycle in the folded position to be limited while having
wheels of normal size, i.e. with a diameter proportionate to the
size of the bicycle user. Thus, the comfort and stability of the
bicycle when used in the unfolded position are preserved and, when
folded, the bicycle can be easily stored (e.g. in an apartment, a
basement, on a balcony, etc.) and easily transported (e.g. in a car
trunk, in public transport, etc.).
In addition, the deformation of the articulated quadrilateral being
possible without having to dismantle part of the frame or a bicycle
wheel, the bicycle can be folded simply and quickly.
Said articulated quadrilateral is defined by said four joints that
form the four corners of the quadrilateral. The four sides of the
quadrilateral are, in turn, formed by the elements which connect
the joints together. In the first embodiment aforementioned, the
four sides are formed essentially by the lower oblique rod, the
upper oblique rod, the upper bar and the seat bar, respectively.
Similarly, in the second embodiment mentioned above, the four sides
are formed essentially by the upper bar, the upper portion of the
seat bar, the connecting bar and the oblique bar. The
aforementioned rods and bars are generally substantially straight,
but they are not necessarily so. The notion of quadrilateral should
therefore, in this respect, not be interpreted strictly. For
example, these bars and rods may be curved or have a broken line
shape without departing from the scope of the invention.
In some embodiments, the joints are revolute joints or screw
joints. These joints are structurally simple and allow the four
sides of the deformable articulated quadrilateral to be guided in
rotation by permitting only one rotation about the axis of the
joint. Folding the bicycle is facilitated by such a guiding. The
bicycle can thus be folded in a smooth, fast and intuitive way.
In some embodiments, the joints are revolute joints and axes of
these joints intersect at a same point.
In other embodiments, the axes of the joints are parallel between
themselves. In this case, the axes of the joints are preferably
inclined at the same angle from the transverse direction of the
bicycle. The axes of bonds may be horizontal when the bicycle is
folded and resting on a horizontal surface.
In some embodiments, the rear frame portion is non-deformable. This
improves the stability of the bicycle when in use.
In some embodiments, the bicycle includes a locking system to lock
the articulated quadrilateral in its unfolded position. Depending
on the configuration adopted for the articulated quadrilateral, a
locking system may be provided between the lower oblique rod and
the upper oblique rod, or between the portion of the seat bar and
the connecting bar.
The locking system may include, for example, a clip or a clamping
collar held by a screw, or a hook system actuated by a lever. In
some embodiments, the locking system includes a bolt slidably
mounted inside on the oblique rods, between an extended position
and a retracted position, and a keeper fitted inside the other
oblique rod and cooperating with the bolt in the extended position
to prevent relative rotation of the oblique rods around the
joint.
In some embodiments, one of the oblique rods has an extension
extending axially beyond the joint, while the other rod has a
cut-out whose shape is complementary to that of the extension, and
the bolt axially slides inside the extension. This configuration
ensures a better lock for the articulated quadrilateral in its
unfolded position.
In some embodiments, the locking device includes an unlocking lever
mounted on the same oblique rod as the bolt and cooperating with
the bolt to drive the latter towards its retracted position and
thus allow rotation of the oblique rods relative to each other.
In some embodiments, the locking system includes a latch movably
mounted in said extension, between a locking position of the bolt
and a bolt release position. With reference to the central axis of
the oblique rod, the latch can be moved in translation laterally
but not axially. A pin is provided facing the latch, on a side face
of the cut-out, so that the pin comes to bear on the latch to
unlock the bolt when the oblique rods are unfolded to be aligned.
Such a configuration allows to easily and quickly unlock the bolt,
thereby locking the articulated quadrilateral, when unfolding the
bicycle.
In some embodiments, the bicycle includes a locking system for
locking the bicycle chain set in a particular position when folding
or unfolding the bicycle. In particular, the chain set may include
a pedal plate rotating about an axis and the locking system may
include a pin fixed on the lower oblique rod close to the plate;
and a stop fixed on the inner face of the plate. In the unfolded
position, the pin does not interfere with the stop travel and the
plate is thus free to rotate around its axis. During folding, when
the lower oblique rod pivots with respect to the seat bar and
approaches it, the pin approaches the axis of the plate and cuts
the stop travel. The plate can then no longer rotate freely.
The above features and advantages, as well as others, will emerge
from reading the following detailed description of examples of the
proposed folding bicycle. This detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are diagrammatic and not to scale, they
are primarily intended to illustrate the principles of the
invention.
In these drawings, from one figure (FIG) to another, the identical
elements (or element parts) are denoted by the same reference
signs.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a conventional bicycle
according to the prior art.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrammatic profile views of the folding
sequence of a first example of a bicycle according to the
invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of another example of a bicycle according to
the invention.
FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate, in perspective, the folding sequence of
the bicycle of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 shows the bicycle of FIG. 3 in its folded position, in front
view according to arrow V of FIG. 4C.
FIGS. 6A to 6D are perspective views of the folding sequence of
another example of a folding bicycle according to the
invention.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show, in side view, a bicycle in a folded position
similar to those of FIGS. 4C and 6D.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a locking system for locking a bicycle
in its unfolded position.
FIGS. 9A to 9D are perspective views of the folding sequence of a
third example of a folding bicycle.
FIGS. 10A to 10C show a second example of a locking system for
locking a bicycle in its unfolded position.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of this second example of a locking
system in its unlocked position.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of a chain set of a folding
bicycle with a chain set locking system, when the bicycle is in the
unfolded and folded position, respectively.
FIG. 13 shows diagrammatically, in side view, the chain set and the
locking system of FIGS. 12A and 12B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES
Examples are described in detail below with reference to the
accompanying drawings. These examples illustrate the features and
advantages of the invention. However, the invention is not limited
to these examples.
In this application, unless otherwise specified, the horizontal and
vertical directions are considered in reference to the unfolded
position of the bicycle when it rests, under normal conditions of
use, on a horizontal surface. The top and bottom are defined in the
vertical direction. The front and rear, right and left, are defined
relative to the normal direction of the bicycle ride.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional full-size bicycle for adult, seen in
profile. Such a bicycle has: a front wheel 1 and a rear wheel 2; a
seat 3 mounted on a seat rod 4, which is itself mounted on a seat
bar 5; a fork 7 pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and to which
is attached the front wheel 1, and handlebars 6 connected to the
fork 7 and for turning the fork.
The seat bar 5 is typically a tube within which the seat rod 4 is
slidably mounted so that the seat 3 can be adjusted in height.
In addition, the bicycle includes a frame with a rear frame portion
A (sometimes called the rear triangle) and a front frame portion C
(sometimes called front triangle or central triangle).
The rear frame portion A is formed by the seat bar 5, at least one
seat stay 8 and at least one lower bar 9 (sometimes called chain
bar). In general, except for the bicycle models called
"single-arm", the seat stay 8 and the lower bar 9 are doubled (i.e.
there are two seat stays and two lower bars) and located on either
side of the rear wheel 2. In this case, the left and right seat
stays are respectively noted 8g and 8d, and the left and right
lower bars are respectively noted 9g and 9d.
Similarly, the fork 7, if it is not single-arm, has a left fork leg
7g and a right fork leg 7d.
The front frame portion C is formed by the seat bar 5, an upper bar
10 (sometimes referred to as horizontal bar) and an oblique bar 11.
A head tube 12 is secured on the front frame portion C, at the
front corner of this part. The fork 7 and the handlebars 6 pivot
within the head tube.
Furthermore, the bicycle 1 of FIG. 1 is equipped with a chain set
(not shown) which is fixed on a bottom bracket 13 whose axis is
located at the intersection of the seat bar 5, the oblique bar 11
and the lower bar(s) 9.
FIG. 2A shows an example of a folding bicycle according to the
invention in the unfolded position, seen in profile.
On this bicycle, in contrast with the bicycle of FIG. 1, the front
frame portion is formed by a deformable articulated quadrilateral
D, defined by the joints P1, P2, P3 and P4. The four sides or
segments of the articulated quadrilateral D are essentially formed
by the following elements: the seat bar 5, which connects the
joints P1 and P3; the horizontal bar 10 which connects the joints
P1 and P2; an upper oblique rod 14 which connects the joints P2 and
P4; and a lower oblique rod 15 which connects the joints P3 and
P4.
On this bicycle, in contrast with the bicycle of FIG. 1, the
oblique bar is formed in two parts hinged together by the joint P4:
the upper oblique rod 14 and the lower oblique rod 15.
Bars and rods 5, 10, 14, 15 which form the four sides of the
articulated quadrilateral D are rigid.
In the example shown, the head tube 12 is an integral part of the
upper oblique rod 14 and forms the upper end thereof. The joint P2
connects this head tube 12 to the horizontal bar 10. The head tube
12 could however be connected differently to the upper oblique rod
14 or the horizontal bar 10. For example, the head tube may be an
integral part of the horizontal bar 10 and form the front end
thereof. In this case, the joint P2 can connect the head tube 12 to
the upper oblique rod 14.
The joint P3 is located near the axis of the bottom bracket 13 but
is not necessarily positioned on this axis.
The bicycle frame of FIG. 2 thus includes a front frame portion on
which the front wheel 1 is mounted through the pivoting fork 7, and
a rear frame portion A on which the rear wheel 2 is mounted.
The front frame portion forming the articulated quadrilateral D
includes the upper rod 10, the seat bar 5 and the oblique bar
formed by the lower oblique rod 15 and the upper oblique rod 14.
The rear frame portion A includes the seat stay(s) 8, the lower
bar(s) 9 and the seat bar 5.
In its unfolded position shown in FIG. 2A, the articulated
quadrilateral D has a shape close to that of a triangle. The upper
oblique rod 14 and the lower oblique rod 15 are substantially
aligned and together form one side of said triangle.
A deformable articulated quadrilateral connected by joints with
only one degree of freedom in rotation (a rotation alone or a
rotation combined with a translation) offers the advantage of easy
folding and unfolding without having to disconnect one of its
elements.
Furthermore, it is sufficient to block one of the joints to make
the quadrilateral impossible to deform. Also, a locking system is
provided for locking one of the joints and locking the articulated
quadrilateral in its unfolded position. Thus, in the unfolded
position, once the front frame portion is locked, the bicycle has a
rigidity substantially equivalent to that of a conventional bicycle
like the one of FIG. 1.
An example of a locking system 40 is shown in FIG. 8. This system
includes an eccentric lever 41 fixed to the lower oblique rod 15, a
ring 42 passed around the lever 41 and a hook 43 attached to the
upper oblique tube 14. The hook 43, the ring 42 and the lever 41
cooperate so that, when the ring 42 is hooked on the hook 43,
pivoting the lever 41 sets the ring 42 under tension. In this
example, the joint P4, which connects together the upper and lower
oblique rods 14, 15, is located on one side of the rods 14, 15 when
they are aligned. The pivot axis 14 of the joint is oriented
perpendicularly and offset from the central axis of the rods 14 and
15. The locking system is located on the opposite side to the joint
P4 with respect to the central axis of the rods 14 and 15. When
this system is locked by tensioning the ring 42, it prevents
relative movement between the rods 14, 15 and the joint P4 is
blocked; the rods 14, 15 are maintained aligned with each other, as
shown in FIG. 8. Of course, this is just an example of a locking
system and other systems could be used.
FIGS. 10A to 10C and 11 show another example of a locking system
located at the joint P4 that connects together the upper and lower
oblique rods 14, 15. As in the example of FIG. 8, the P4 joint is
located on a side of the rods 14, 15 when they are aligned. In
other words, the joint P4 is laterally offset relative to the
central axis of the rods, when the bicycle is unfolded. In the
present description of the locking system, "axial" or "axially"
refer to a direction parallel to the central axis of the rods 14,
15, when the bicycle is unfolded, and "lateral" or "laterally"
refers to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the locking system includes: a bolt
21 slidably mounted within the lower oblique rod 15, between an
extended position and a retracted position; a keeper 23, fitted
inside the upper oblique rod 14 and cooperating with the bolt 21 in
the extended position to block the joint P4, i.e. to prevent a
relative rotation of the oblique rods 14 and 15 around the joint
P4; and an unlocking lever 24 mounted on the lower oblique rod 15
and cooperating with the bolt 21 to drive the latter towards its
retracted position and unlock the joint P4, and thus allow rotation
of the oblique rods one relative to the other.
One of the rods, in the example the rod 15, has an extension 15a
extending axially beyond the joint P4, while the other rod 14 has a
cut-out 14a whose shape is complementary to that of extension 15a.
When the bicycle is unfolding, the extension 15a is received in the
cut-out 14a. The bolt 21 is housed at least partially in the
extension 15a and slides axially within the latter, while the
keeper 23 is provided at the cut-out 14a. In the extended position,
the bolt 21 protrudes at the free end of the extension 15a. Thus,
the bolt engagement area 21 in the keeper 23 is offset axially with
respect to the joint P4. Such a configuration provides a better
lock.
In the extended position, the bolt 21 is engaged or pushed into the
keeper 23 (see FIG. 10A). A compression spring 26 may act on the
bolt 21 to hold it in this retracted position.
A latch 27 may be mounted in the lower oblique rod 15 for retaining
the bolt 21 in its retracted position (see FIGS. 10B, 10C). In the
example of the figures, the latch 27 at least partially surrounds
the bolt 21 so that a first end 27a of the latch is located on one
side of the bolt 21 and the opposite end of the latch, or second
end 27b, is located on the other side of the bolt 21. The latch 27
is mounted inside the extension 15a of the rod 15 and is movable in
translation in a lateral direction. However, the latch 27 is not
axially movable. A notch 29 is formed in a side face of the bolt 21
in order to receive the second end 27b of latch 27. In the locking
position, the second end 27b of the latch is engaged in the notch
29 so as to lock the bolt 21 in its retracted position, as shown in
FIG. 10C. To do this, a compression spring 28 pushes the latch 27
toward the bolt 21, into the notch 29. Conversely, in the release
position, the latch 27 is no longer engaged in the notch 29, as
shown in FIG. 10A.
A groove 31 may be formed in the side face of the bolt 21 facing
away from the notch 29 in order to receive the first end 27a of the
latch. In the release position, the first end 27a of the latch is
engaged in the groove 31, as shown in FIG. 10A, and this end 27a
slides axially in the groove 31 when the bolt 21 slides. The end
27a comes out of the groove 31 when the second end 27b enters the
notch 29, and vice versa. In addition, a pin 50 may be provided,
opposite the first end 27a on the side face of the cut-out 14a of
the upper oblique rod 14, so that the pin 50 presses against the
end 27a to make it penetrate into the groove 31, and to cause the
second end 27b to come out of the notch 29, thus releasing the bolt
21, when the bicycle is unfolded.
The lever 24 is pivotally mounted on the lower oblique rod 15
around an axis 25 and cooperates with a stop 22 of the bolt 21. The
lever 24 can act against the return force exerted by the spring 26
on the bolt 21. To unlock (FIG. 10B), the user lifts the lever 24
which acts on the stop 22 for sliding the bolt 21 to its retracted
position and compressing the spring 26 until the second end 27b of
the latch 27, under the effect of the spring 28, enters the notch
29. At this stage, the bolt 21 is disengaged from the keeper 23 and
held in this retracted position by the latch 27.
The lever 24 also includes one or more pushers 24a. When unlocking,
when the lever 24 is raised, the one or more pushers 24a push
against the upper oblique rod 14, causing it to deviate from the
lower oblique rod 15 by pivoting about the joint P4. Thus, when the
lever 24 is lifted and simultaneously with the bolt 21 sliding
movement, the pin 50 ceases to press the first end 27a of the latch
27, which makes possible the lateral displacement of the latch 27
and allows the second end 27b to engage in the notch 29. The latch
27 then holds the bolt 21 in its retracted position.
To continue folding the bicycle (FIG. 10C), the user may release
the lever 24 and rotate the oblique rods 14 and 15 relative to each
other around the joint P4. A biasing means (not shown) may be
provided to allow the lever 24 to return against the lower oblique
rod 15, as shown in FIG. 10A or 10C.
Conversely, when the bicycle is unfolded, when the oblique rods 14
and 15 pivot relative to each other and reach the relative position
shown in FIG. 10B, the pin 50 presses against the first end 27a of
the latch. It then pushes the latch 27, acting against the return
force of the spring 28, which brings the second end 27b out of the
notch 29 and releases the bolt 21. Under the effect of the spring
26, the bolt 21 springs out to its extended position and can engage
again into the keeper 23. The bicycle is thus locked in the
unfolded position (FIG. 10A).
FIG. 11 is a view in perspective of the unlocking system described
above, in a position identical to that of FIG. 10C. Thanks to such
an unlocking system, the bicycle has a simple mechanism for an easy
unlocking of the bicycle, and for an automatic locking when
unfolding.
Of course, the shapes of the rods 14 and 15 could be reversed, i.e.
the bolt 21 could be mounted on the upper oblique rod 14 and the
keeper 23 be provided in the lower oblique rod 15.
To initiate the folding of the bicycle of FIG. 2, once the the
articulated quadrilateral D is unlocked, it is sufficient to tilt
the rear portion of the bicycle (including, in particular, the rear
frame portion A and the rear wheel 2) toward the front, by pivoting
it around the joint P1, while tilting the front part of the bicycle
(including, in particular, the front frame portion and the front
wheel 1) to the rear, as illustrated by the arched arrows in FIG.
2B. The articulated quadrilateral D then takes a shape of an
arrowhead, as shown in FIG. 2B.
In the folded position (FIG. 2C), the articulated quadrilateral D
reaches an almost flat shape, allowing all its constitutive
elements to fold in a small space, close to the wheels, in order to
minimize the size of the folded bicycle.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the respective positions of the joints P1 P2,
P3 and P4 and the dimensions of the bars and rods 5, 10, 14, 15 are
adapted so that, in this folded position, the front wheel 1 and the
wheel back 2 overlap in the transverse direction of the bicycle.
This configuration enables to minimize the size of the folded
bicycle. This also allows the user to drag the folded bicycle on
its wheels and, thus, to move with the folded bicycle without
having to carry it. To facilitate this use, another locking system
may be provided to lock the bicycle in its folded position. The
seat 3 may also be retracted in the folded position, by sliding the
seat rod 4 inside the seat bar 5 to the lowest position (FIG.
2C).
Thus, there is provided a full-size bicycle with a simple and
reliable folding that does not require disassembling a part of the
frame or a wheel, the bicycle having a rigid structure in its
unfolded position and a compact size in its folded position.
It is to be noted, however, that the folding described with
reference to FIGS. 2A-2C would not be possible if the joints P1,
P2, P3 P4 were revolute joints located in the same plane, with axes
perpendicular to the median plane of the bicycle. Indeed, in this
case, the front and back wheels 1, 2, which are aligned in the
unfolded position, would come in contact with each other and with
some structural elements (in particular, the front wheel 1 would
abut against the lower oblique rod 15) at the time of folding.
It is therefore necessary to provide a special configuration for
the joints P1, P2, P3 and P4 in order to allow, during folding, the
front wheel 1 to shift toward the side (i.e. transversally)
relative to the rear wheel 2.
According to a possible configuration, the joints P1, P2, P3 and P4
are screw joints, that is to say joints offering a mobility
according to combined rotational and translational movements, whose
axes are perpendicular to the median plane of the bicycle, and
whose direction of rotation and thread pitch are calculated so
that, upon folding, the plane of the front frame and front wheel 1
move away transversely from that of the rear frame portion A and
rear wheel 2. Other possible configurations, using more simple
structure of the joints and generally more robust than screw
joints, are described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9D.
FIG. 3 depicts another example of a bicycle, seen from above.
In this embodiment, the joints P1, P2, P3 and P4 are revolute
joints whose axes, respectively denominated I1, I2, I3 and I4, are
parallel and inclined at the same angle A1 with respect to the
transverse direction T of the bicycle.
In the example shown, the axes I1, I2, I3 and I4 are inclined at an
angle A1 in the clockwise direction (in top view) or rearward on
the right side of the bicycle.
This configuration allows, when folded, if one considers the upper
bar 10 as fixed, to rotate the front of the bicycle, in particular
the front wheel 1, backwards around the joint P2 by deviating
transversely from the upper rod 10, on the left in FIG. 3. In
contrast, the rear part of the bicycle, in particular the rear
wheel 2, rotates forward around the joint P1 by deviating
transversely from the upper rod 10, on the right in FIG. 3. The
front and rear wheels of the bicycle will thus move transversely
away from each other while coming longitudinally closer to each
other.
It is to be noted that the bicycle is equipped, in addition to a
bottom bracket 13, with a pedal plate 17 located generally on the
right of the bicycle.
In addition, in this example, the head tube 12 is connected fixedly
to the upper oblique rod 14, through an arm 16 allowing the head
tube 12 to be shifted to the front direction relative to the upper
oblique rod 14. The head tube 12 could however be connected
differently to the upper oblique rod 14 or the horizontal bar 10
without this affecting the folding or the proper operation of the
bicycle.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate in perspective the folding sequence of the
bicycle according to this example.
During folding (FIG. 4B), if the angle A1 is large enough, the
front wheel 1 and the right fork leg 7d avoid touching other parts
of the bicycle and, in particular, in this example, the rear wheel
2, the bottom bracket 13, the joint P3, the left chain bar 9g and
the plate 17 which is located on the right side.
Similarly, the lower oblique rod 15, by pivoting about the joint
P4, passes on the right of the front wheel 1, and by pivoting about
the joint P3, passes on the left of the seat bar 5.
In the folded position (FIG. 4C), the front wheel 1 and the rear
wheel 2 are in vis-a-vis in the transverse direction. The right
fork leg 7d and the left chain bar 9g are next to each other.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, after having rotated and given the
arrangement of the P2 and P4 joints, the front wheels 1 and rear 2
are not parallel in the folded position, but inclined with respect
to one another according to an angle B1 which depends on the value
of the angle A1.
The angle A1 may thus be adjusted to allow unhindered folding (FIG.
4B), while optimizing the final gap between the wheels (FIGS. 4C
and 5).
In FIGS. 4A-4C, the bicycle chain set is not complete in the sense
that the pedals are not represented. The presence of the pedals
and, in the example, the left pedal, can however be taken into
account to adjust the angle A1. In a variant, the pedal in question
can be placed in a particular position prior to folding the bicycle
to interfere as little as possible with the travel of the front
wheel 1 and of the right fork leg 7d. In another variant, the pedal
in question may be removed. The latter variant, although
acceptable, is not fully satisfactory because it requires
additional manipulations when folding the bicycle.
FIGS. 6A to 6D are perspective view of another example of the
bicycle.
This example differs from that of FIGS. 4A to 5 in that the axes
I1, I2, I3, I4 of joints P1, P2, P3 and P4 are not parallel but
intersecting. They converge at a point S which is located in a
different plane and transversely away from the median plane of the
bicycle.
In the example of FIG. 6A and following, the point S is placed on
the right of the bicycle but it could also be placed on the
left.
Such a configuration allows the deformable quadrilateral D to fold
as easily as in the other examples and, when point S is
sufficiently spaced transversely from the median plane of the
bicycle, the assembly has a sufficient rigidity in the unfolded
position, once one of the joints (e.g. the joint P4) is locked in
rotation by a locking device (not shown). Indeed, the volume formed
by the joints P1, P2, P3, P4 and the point S is then a stable
pyramid.
For this embodiment, the complete bicycle chain set is shown in the
figures, comprising: a left pedal 18g pivotally mounted on a left
crank arm 19g which is itself fixed to the bottom bracket 13; a
right pedal 18d pivotally mounted on a right crank arm 19d which is
also fixed to the bottom bracket 13.
FIGS. 6A to 6D illustrate the complete folding procedure of the
bicycle.
At the beginning of folding (FIG. 6B), thanks to the angle between
the axes I1, I2, I3 and I4, the front wheel 1 pivots to the rear
and simultaneously move away towards the left of the bicycle. The
edge of the front wheel 1 thus avoids touching the left pedal 18g
or the lower oblique rod 15.
When the bicycle folding continues (FIGS. 6C and 6D), the front
wheel 1 and the right fork leg 7d skirt the left pedal 18g and the
left crank arm 19g.
In the folded position, the front wheel 1 comes close to and
vis-a-vis the rear wheel 2 in the transverse direction, thus giving
the bicycle a configuration and a volume similar to that of the
embodiment of FIG. 4C. This solution has the advantage of not
having to position the pedals at a particular position or to
dismantle the chain set prior to folding.
However, a system can be designed to minimize the risk of
interference between a pedal, here the left pedal 18g, and another
part of the bicycle during folding and unfolding operations. Thus,
the bicycle may include a system for blocking the pedal in a
particular position during the folding and unfolding operations. In
particular, one of the pedals, here the left pedal 18g, can be
maintained or locked in a low position (relative to the bicycle in
the unfolded position), that is to say in a position in which the
left crank arm is in a position 19g substantially vertical and
oriented downwards, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 12A, 12B.
Indeed, when the left crank arm 19g is oriented towards the front
of the bicycle, rearward or upward, there may be, in certain
configurations, a risk that the left pedal 18g interferes with the
spokes or the rim of the front wheel 1. FIGS. 12A and 12B are
perspective views of an example of a chain set locking system.
The locking system includes: a pin 32 fixed on the lower oblique
rod 15, close to the plate 17; and a stop 33 fixed on the inner
face of the plate 17.
The pin 32 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the median plane of the bicycle, without touching the plate 17. The
stop 33 and the pin 32 are fixedly mounted on the plate 17 and the
rod 15, respectively.
When folding the bicycle (FIG. 12B), the lower oblique rod 15
pivots about the axis A3 of the joint P3, and comes closer to the
seat bar 5.
FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates the operation of this
mechanism, in left side view.
In the unfolded position, that is to say when the bicycle is in use
position, the pin 32 is in a position 32a which does not interfere
with the travel of the stop 33. The chain set can thus freely
rotate around its axis A17.
From the start of folding, when the lower oblique rod 15 pivots
about the axis A3, the pin 32 approaches the axis A17, and cuts the
travel of the stop 33. In other terms, when the plate rotates, the
stop 33 comes against the pin 32 and is blocked in its movement. In
the folded position, the pin 32 is in the position 32b shown in
dashes in FIG. 13, and the chain set cannot rotate anymore beyond
the position 33b of the stop 33 also shown in dashes. Rotation of
the left crank arm 19g is thus limited to a small angular sector.
At maximum, the crank arm 19g can reach the position 19b in dashes
in FIG. 13.
Such a locking system prevents any interference of the pedal 18g
with another part of the bicycle during folding and unfolding
operations without preliminary manual intervention on the bicycle
chain set and, in particular, without having to remove or fold the
pedal 18g or the crank arm 19g. At most, it may be recommended to
the user, prior to folding, to check that the pedal 18g is down,
and if not, to turn it with his foot until a suitable position is
reached.
To further reduce the size of the folded bicycle, one can provide
additional systems for folding the seat 3 and the handlebars 6.
FIG. 7A shows a view of the right profile of the folded bicycle, in
a configuration similar to that of FIGS. 4C and 6D.
The seat 3 is pivotally mounted on a seat holder 20 and pivots
around a P5 joint formed by a revolute joint whose axis is
perpendicular to the median plane of the bicycle.
The handlebars 6 also have a P6 joint whose axis 16 is oblique, to
enable the handlebars 6 to swivel to the left side of the bicycle,
in order not to be impeded by the plate 17.
In fully folded position (FIG. 7B), the handlebars 6 are folded in
a plane substantially parallel to that of the front wheel 1. The
seat 3 may in turn be positioned between the front 1 and back
wheels 2, if necessary by turning the seat rod 4 inside the seat 5
bar. The seat 3 and the handlebars 6 are thus folded inside the
volume delimited by the front and rear wheels 1, 2.
FIGS. 9A to 9D are perspective views of the folding sequence of a
third example of a folding bicycle including a front wheel 1, a
rear wheel 2 and a frame. The frame includes a front frame portion
on which the front wheel 1 is mounted, by means of a pivoting fork
7, and a rear frame portion A on which the rear wheel 2 is
mounted,
The front frame portion A includes at least one seat stay 8, at
least one lower bar 9 and a seat bar 5. The front frame portion
includes an upper bar 10, an upper portion 5A of the seat bar 5, a
connecting bar 30 and an oblique bar 11.
The upper portion 5A of the seat bar, the upper bar 10, the oblique
rod 11 and the connecting bar 30 are interconnected between them in
this order, by joints P1 to P4 so as to form an articulated
quadrilateral D deformable between a folded position and an
unfolded position. The articulated quadrilateral D is configured so
that, by deforming towards its folded position, the bicycle can be
folded in the lengthwise direction until the front wheel 1 comes to
be superimposed on the rear wheel 2 in a transversal direction of
the bicycle.
This example of bicycle therefore differs from that of the
preceding figures in that its frame includes an additional
structural element, namely, the connecting bar 30, and in that the
oblique bar 11 is not formed by a lower oblique rod and an upper
oblique rod articulated together. The joint P4 is instead provided
on the seat 5 bar for connecting the upper portion 5A of the seat
bar to the connecting bar 30. However, the explanations given for
the previous examples, regarding the configuration of the joints
and, more generally, of the articulated quadrilateral D still
apply. These explanations are therefore not repeated here for the
sake of brevity.
The examples or embodiments described in this paper are provided
for illustration and not limitation, and a skilled person can
easily, in view of the present disclosure, modify these examples or
embodiments, or consider others while remaining within the scope of
the invention.
Finally, the different features of the examples or embodiments
described herein may be considered separately or combined together.
When combined, these features can be combined as described above or
differently, the invention not being limited to the specific
combinations described above. In particular, unless stated
otherwise or technically impossible, a feature described in
relation to an example or embodiment may be applied analogously to
another example or embodiment.
* * * * *